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Review
. 2014 Jul;18(7):442-52.
doi: 10.4103/0972-5229.136073.

A review of video laryngoscopes relevant to the intensive care unit

Dharshi Karalapillai  1 , Jai Darvall  2 , Justin Mandeville  3 , Louise Ellard  4 , Jon Graham  4 , Laurence Weinberg  5
Affiliations
Review

A review of video laryngoscopes relevant to the intensive care unit

Dharshi Karalapillai et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

The incidence of difficult direct intubation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is estimated to be as high as 20%. Recent advances in video-technology have led to the development of video laryngoscopes as new intubation devices to assist in difficult airway management. Clinical studies indicate superiority of video laryngoscopes relative to conventional direct laryngoscopy in selected patients. They are therefore an important addition to the armamentarium of any clinician performing endotracheal intubation. We present a practical review of commonly available video laryngoscopes with respect to design, clinical efficacy, and safety aspects relevant to their use in the ICU.

Keywords: Difficult airway; intensive care unit; video laryngoscopes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The Storz CMAC blade
Figure 2
Figure 2
Storz CMAC video laryngoscope system: The video-display is mounted on a separate stand connected via a cable to the reusable laryngoscope componen
Figure 3
Figure 3
From left to right, The Original Glidescope® with its angulated blade to 60°, a Macintosh blade size 4, and the McGrath MAC video laryngoscope with a similar profile to the standard MacIntosh blade
Figure 4
Figure 4
McGrath MAC in use. The McGrath MAC is inserted into the mouth under direct vision in a manner similar to conventional direct laryngoscopy. The blade tip is placed in the vallecula with the laryngeal inlet lying centrally in the upper third of the display
Figure 5
Figure 5
The Glidescope with a preformed endotracheal tube using a stylet. Note that the ETT is preformed to match the angulated profile of the Glidescope blade®
Figure 6
Figure 6
The Glidescope in use. The Glidescope blade has been inserted into the mouth in the midline under direct vision. The blade tip is placed in the vallecula and an optimized view places the laryngeal inlet lying centrally in the upper third of the display
Figure 7
Figure 7
The McGrath series 5 video laryngoscope with its handle mounted display and angulated blade design. The position of the disposable blade can be placed on the camera stick in three different positions (photo courtesy of Aircraft Medical Limited)
Figure 8
Figure 8
Airtraq optical laryngoscope on the left and the Pentax airway scope on the right with their channeled design. The endotracheal tube is loaded into a tube guide in a position in which the tip will not obstruct the optical view
Figure 9
Figure 9
Pentax airway scope in use. The blade has been inserted in the midline in the oral cavity and the blade tip positioned posterior to the epiglottis (so-called straight blade approach). An optimized view shows the “cross hair” placed on the laryngeal inlet to facilitate accurate endotracheal tube placement
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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